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Cartoon titled, "Professor Faraday, lecturing at the Royal Institution Before H.R.H. Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and Prince Alfred." This is a full plate reproduction of a preparatory sketch by Alexander Blaikeley (1816-1903) for his eventual painting of the same scene. Original newsprint page from the Illustrated London News, 1856, 28:177. The scene is of Faraday at the lecture table, delivering his "Christmas lecture," Dec. 27, 1855, the subject being gold and platinum. This was the first of six lectures "On the distinctive properties of the common metals." Seated in the front row, center, are Prince Albert and his sons, the Prince of Wales, age 13, seated to the right of his father, and Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh, age 10, seated to Albert's left. Faraday presented lectures for children every year around Christmas (a tradition that continues to this day at the Royal Institution).

ID number

FA-PR-0130

Title

Portrait of Rene Descartes (1596-1650)

Abstract

Engraved portrait of French philosopher, mathematician and scientist Descartes. Original stipple engraving by Joseph Collyer (1748-1827). Published by G. Kearsly of London.

Engraved portrait of Pierre Simon Laplace, done by Tony Goutiere (1808-1890), after original done by French painter Jean-Claude Naigeon (1753-1832), as drawn by Mlle. Houssaye. The French mathematician and astronomer gave us the Laplacian differential operator in applied mathematics. Paris editor, Gauthier-Villars.

ID number

FA-PR-0085

Title

Joseph Priestley

Abstract

Small engraved portrait of English/American theologian and chemist Joseph Priestley, with an array of instruments and books below his portrait. Was published by J. Walker, February 1, 1782.

ID number

FA-PR-0103

Title

Portrait of Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859)

Abstract

Small portrait of German naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt, done by English/American engraver John Sartain (1808-1897), after original portrait done by painter Ferdinand Theodor Hildebrandt (1804-1874). Autograph note in French, signed by Humboldt, 20 Nov 1814, addressee unknown, but recommending the bearer, an "American" mineralogist/geologist, M. de Palacios [?].

ID number

FA-PR-0082

Title

Portrait of Marin Mersenne (1588-1648)

Abstract

Small portrait in rondel of French mathematician and theologian Marin Mersenne. Engraving.

ID number

FA-PR-0092

Title

Portrait of Brook Taylor (1685-1731)

Abstract

Engraved portrait of the English mathematician "Brook Taylor, L.L.D. & R.S.S. 1714," noted for his contribution to the development of calculus. Done by renowned mezzotint engraver Richard Earlom (1743-1822), "From an Original Picture in the Possession of Lady Young," after an unknown artist .

ID number

FA-PR-0113

Title

Portrait of Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)

Abstract

Engraved portrait of French mathematician, physicist, and religious philosopher Pascal, done by Henry Meyer (1782-1847) after a portrait done by French painter Philippe de Champagne [Champaigne] (1602-1674), most notably famous for executing many religious paintings for Marie de Medici and Richelieu. Published by Charles Knight, London.

ID number

FA-PR-0101

Title

Portrait of Johannes Wallis (1616-1703)

Abstract

Original engraved portrait of English mathematician John Wallis by British engraver David Loggan (1634-1692), done in 1678. Wallis is famous for his contributions to algebra and analytical geometry.

ID number

FA-PR-0121

Title

Portrait of Joseph Priestley's son, William

Abstract

Political cartoon entitled, "Monsieur Francois introduces Master Pr***tly to the National Assembly," drawn by James Sayers (1748-1823), depicts Priestley's son William as a puppet before the French National Assembly. Description of cartoon: "Dr. Priestley's son introduced to the National Assembly by Monsieur Francois de Neufchatel, who holds him up by a pair of leading strings, standing in a Tub instead of a Tribune and announcing to the Assembly thro' a Trumpet the good news of an Englishman having become a Citizen of France. The Young Englishman having brought with him a bottle of Phlogiston from Hackney College is administering it in the form of electric sparks to the National Assembly: who are drawn in the form of Asses, Owls, Hogs and Frogs; while the Ancients in the Gallery are applauding with their mouths wide open." [from British Museum, Sayers Collection] Published by Thomas Cornell, June 18, 1792.

ID number

FA-PR-0104

Title

Portrait of Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727)

Abstract

Original mezzotint portrait of Newton published in 1760, done by James MacArdel (1729-1765), after an original portrait painted in 1726 by English painter Enoch Seeman (1694-1744).

ID number

FA-PR-0095

Title

Portrait of Michael Faraday (1791-1867)

Abstract

Photogravure reproduction of a painted portrait, done by Thomas Phillips (1770-1845) in 1842, of Faraday as a young man. Photographische Gesellschaft, Berlin, ca 1910.

ID number

FA-PR-0064

Title

Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleyev

Abstract

Sepia tint "collector's card".

ID number

FA-PH-0001

Title

Portrait of Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727)

Abstract

Inscription reads: "Sir Isaac Newton. when Bachelor of Arts in Trinity College, Cambridge. Engraved by B. Reading from a Head painted by Sir Peter Lily in the Possession of the Right Honorable Lord Viscount Cremorne." The engraving is after a portrait of Newton done by Dutch/English baroque portrait painter Sir Peter Lily [better known as Sir Peter Lely; "lely" is the Dutch word for "lily."] (1618-1680), renowned for his Van Dyke-influenced style.

ID number

FA-PR-0007

Title

Portrait of George Stokes (1819-1903)

Abstract

Reproduction of a stipple and line-engraved portrait of Irish mathematician and physicist Sir George Gabriel Stokes; done by engraver Charles Henry Jeens (1827-1879) whose signature also appears on portrait. Stokes was one of the most influential scientists of the era, was Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University and Secretary of the Royal Society. His most famous work was in the field of fluid mechanics.

ID number

FA-PR-0008

Title

George Biddell Airy, KCB. "Astronomy." ("Men of the Day" series)

Abstract

Vanity Fair Print, "Men of the Day," No. 115. November 13, 1875. Caricaturist: Carlo ("Ape) Pellegrini (1838-1889). George Biddell Airy, born in Northumberland and educated at Trinity College Cambridge, developed the "undulating theory of light." He was one of Britain's foremost astronomers in the nineteenth century, distinguished as both the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University and Astronomer Royal, a position he attained at age 34.

ID number

FA-PR-0016

Title

Bronze bust of Robert Millikan by Joseph Portanova

Abstract

Photo by Robert Paz.

ID number

FA-SC-0001

Title

Portrait medal of Sir Isaac Newton

Abstract

Struck at the Royal Mint, Tower of London in 1731, this pewter medal (51 mm) is by John Crocker, the Mint’s engraver during Newton’s tenure as Master. The obverse portrait is based on the Earl of Portsmouth’s bust (the so called Conduitt bust by Michael Rysbrack); the inscription reads, “Isaacus Newtonus I.C. The figure on the medal’s reverse, copied from the pedestal of the same bust, is that of Urania, who holds a plan of the Newtonian solar system. The reverse reads, “Felix Cognoscere Causas 1726.” The Conduitt bust can only be dated from its appearance in a picture by Hogarth painted in about 1730, and is assumed to have been commissioned about the same time that Conduitt was commissioning William Kent to design the Newton Monument in Westminster Abbey, which was carved by Rysbrack. Strikes of the medal were also completed in silver and bronze, as in the Babson collection. The date 1726 on the reverse is the year of Newton s death, in the old-style calendar.

ID number

FA-ME-0001

Title

Namazu-e (catfish print)

Abstract

According to Japanese legend, earthquakes were caused by the movements of a monster catfish that lived under the island of Japan. Immediately following the great Ansei earthquake of October 2, 1855, woodblock prints called Namazu-e ("catfish pictures") appeared in Edo (now Tokyo), the most affected area. These imaginative and sometimes brutal depictions served as a unique source of information and reassurance to the local population. In this picture, the god of the Kashima Shrine holds the catfish in check with his sword. Shown above is the shrine with the great rock which was also supposed to hold the catfish down. It was while the god was travelling that the Namazu escaped and wreaked havoc.